1
as in ripping
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
angrily tore the letter to shreds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in yanking
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
tore the book from his hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hurrying
to proceed or move quickly
she tore out of the room as soon as the phone started to ring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tearing
Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
But together, the father and daughter started tearing the old Jeep apart, gutting the interior.
—Laura Lane, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
For a certain type of MAGA-minded American, tearing through Grand Army Plaza with a 50-cal is bound to be virtual Viagra.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
The bull wheeled, tearing through the fescue and bounded uphill.
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2025
Picture tearing the top sheet from a pad of keys and burning it.
—PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
Injuries or environmental irritants like smoke or chemicals can also trigger squinting, alongside symptoms like tearing or redness.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
The dog attacked the infant, tearing into the baby's skull.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Driven by Jonny Greenwood’s relentless score, the movie summons not only the images but the psycho-spiritual sensations of a country tearing itself apart.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The Broncos were starting to find their groove in the run game before Sunday’s flop, a concern since the step back came in the first game without Ben Powers, who is expected to miss at least two months after tearing his biceps.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
But together, the father and daughter started tearing the old Jeep apart, gutting the interior.
—Laura Lane, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
For a certain type of MAGA-minded American, tearing through Grand Army Plaza with a 50-cal is bound to be virtual Viagra.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
The bull wheeled, tearing through the fescue and bounded uphill.
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2025
Picture tearing the top sheet from a pad of keys and burning it.
—PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
Injuries or environmental irritants like smoke or chemicals can also trigger squinting, alongside symptoms like tearing or redness.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
The dog attacked the infant, tearing into the baby's skull.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Driven by Jonny Greenwood’s relentless score, the movie summons not only the images but the psycho-spiritual sensations of a country tearing itself apart.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearing
Verb
-
For many hobbyists, the excitement — and gamble — of ripping packs is the best thing about the collecting experience.—
Mark Billingsley,
Sacbee.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
These were easier for ripping open to see the interior and for dipping by hand.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, she was momentarily stopped when one concert goer grabbed her, violently yanking her backwards and into the barricade.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Neil Young is yanking his music from Amazon, the rock star announced this week.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Pedestrians are hurrying past to find their places on Fifth Avenue, but the girls have a different kind of readiness about them.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
-
That's why Amazon shoppers are hurrying to grab a soft and fluffy comforter for fall.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Before grabbing a host of amendments at the nursery, however, do a soil test through your local extension service to see what your garden actually needs.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Wear them now with blouses and T-shirts when visiting a pumpkin patch or grabbing dinner with friends.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Radial is also speeding up training of holiday hires due to new technology that’s simplifying their tasks.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Brandis watches Robbie die while speeding to the emergency room.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
One spring day in Paris many years ago, my wife, Diana, a most penetrating photographer, capable of seeing like no one else, decided, as an experiment, to walk across the city blindfolded.—
Hisham Matar,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Aug. 2024
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Since the war began in Gaza, more than six months ago, the Israeli magazine +972 has published some of the most penetrating reporting on the Israel Defense Forces’ conduct.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2024
Verb
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To respond, Benbrook quarterback Brennan Barton notched a clutch two yard rushing score facing fourth down.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Oct. 2025
-
As a duo, Dart and Skattebo became the first two Giants rookies to tally rushing scores in the same game since Larry Heater and Leon Perry in Week 10 of the 1980 season against the Dallas Cowboys.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But usually the administration official doesn’t fight back in such a biting way.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Over nearly three decades, Baumbach has built a career chronicling families in crisis and artists at the crossroads, his films combining biting wit with an unflinching emotional honesty.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearing. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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